How popular are 8 x 10 cabinets?

[Thomas Kievit]

So I've been thinking a while about the popularity of 8 x 10 cabs. Though they are wanted by dozens of bass players, I've noticed that there are a lot of bass players that like to have something smaller.

Mostly I see 2 x 10 cabs (or combo), 2 x 10 + 1 x 15 cabs, 4 x 10 cabs, 4 x 10 + 1 x 15 cabs and of course not to forget 6 x 10 cabs.

Perhaps it's also importnant whether you play at a big place (i.e. 500 - 1000 people) or smaller places (i.e. 80 - 200 people) and inside or outside.

I really like 6 x 10 cabs and 8 x 10 cabs, but the weight of the 8 x 10's are freaking killing me. I was a roadie once for a friend of mine and had to move around his gear. He had a 8 x 10 cab (Hartke) and that thing was around 70 kg IIRC. I think a 6 x 10 is enough to fit the most stuff..

Who of you TB-ers own a 8 x 10 cab and can you tell me as well why did you choose for such a big cabinet? Do you just want to have that ''little bit of extra'' or do you gig at big places?

 

[73jbass]

I've been playing through an Ampeg Heritage 810 for about 2 years,and its the only cab I have gigged with. I like getting the speakers closer to ear level so I can keep the volume down if I need to. Awesome tone,and its easier to move around and load up than a 410 if you use the right technique. Find me something that works better and Ill buy it.

 

[M. Owen Santy]

Have been playing with a Traynor 8x8 for a bit now - and it's a great compromise. Still a ton of driver surface area, gets the speakers high for your hearing, and fits right in the back of my SUV on it's side without dropping the seats.

Is still a bit heavy (112 pounds) but nothing compared to a 8x10 or the pain of having more than one cab to load in.

 

[kleinenenten]

I have 2 410s, and have yet to use them as an 810. But if I ever need it, I can stack them. For now, one's at home, one's at the rehearsal space. It's a great little compromise, since I can have two rigs, or a monster rig, whenever I need them.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I always wanted a big cabinet, and my first 'pro' rig ever was a Markbass SD800 with one of their 6x10s. The rig was awesome, and the 6x10 was great because it only weighed in at 68lbs. That said, it was still a 2 person schlepping job due to it having no casters and due to it being pretty much impossible to lift up stairs or into a car without someone giving you at least the initial leverage needed to get it up.

I've been using 2x12s and sometimes two 2x12s for all my gigs since selling that 6x10 and I couldn't be happier. I can move them by myself, and I have the convenience of using one for rehearsals and small gigs and two for large gigs, which has been amazing. And to be 100% honest, the 2x12 I use now (Genz Benz) has no problem filling most venues I play. The 6x10 might do a hair better, but honestly not much, and by the time we get to big venues my 4x12 would absolutely smoke the 6x10.

8x10s will always be popular in the eyes of those who don't know better or by those who have the means to move them (willing band mates, roadies, and the means to move it from place to place via a vehicle), but for those of us who gig often and don't have such means or conveniences are fine using 4x10s, 2,x12s, and sometimes even smaller rigs.

 

[Freddels]

I love the sound from an Ampeg 810 but have yet to gig with one. Many of the places that I play have such a small area for the band that I can barely get a 210 on the stage. If there was more room, I'd love it. Even at low volume they sound great (to me).

 

[MegaSwing]

Markbass' 8x10 is 89 pounds (40.4 kg), pretty easy to wrassle.

To answer the OP's question, they are plenty popular and have a devoted following, which you will soon see.

I have access to an Ampeg 8x10, but do not wish to own it. When loud and low matter, it's tough to beat, just too damned heavy. I am happy as hell to play through it when it is convenient. My own 'monster' cab is a GK 412 that's a little more manageable (90 pounds and a little shorter in height—sits perfectly across the backseat), but up until now I have only used it outdoors, and it's almost too loud for that.

 

[georgestrings]

I've been mostly gigging a Mesa PH810 for the last 2.5 years or so - I used it in a loud 2 guitar modern rock/hard rock/metal band that had a truck to haul the backline - although it's no problem for me to move it in my F150 or the GF's little Soul... It is hands down the best sounding cab I've ever played thru - and I really didn't find it all that difficult to move... I prefer to have a large enough rig that I don't have to push it hard - that way, I always sound good, and don't have any reliabilty issues... I got a good deal on my 810, and it's still in "like new" condition, even after 2.5 years of fairly busy gigging - I'll probably hang on to it, in case my gigging situation changes...

That being said, I just took a job in a busy top 40 country band, and will probably use my RR115 for indoor shows, and PH215 for outdoor shows - we'll see...


- georgestrings

 

[CL400Peavey]

For me, I want a cab that is lighter, smaller, and louder than an 810. I run a fEARful 1515/66/1.

 

[Rip Topaz]

I prefer 15's, but I'm noticing that my Acoustic B200 combo just isn't loud enough for my current band. I may end up going to a 2x15 or an 810 very soon.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

There's a lot of difference between a 2x15 or an 8 x 10.. Or am I wrong? What about a 6 x 10?

I prefer 15's, but I'm noticing that my Acoustic B200 combo just isn't loud enough for my current band. I may end up going to a 2x15 or an 810 very soon.

 

[tabooze24]

+1

I use to have a Genz Benz Uber 810, however, I have since sold it for a Fearless 215. As good as the Uber was, my Fearless crushes it.

For me, I want a cab that is lighter, smaller, and louder than an 810. I run a fEARful 1515/66/1.

 

[seamonkey]

1x10 sounds the same as an 8x10 except quieter.

With today's powerful amps there are a lot more options to get a great bass sound out front.

 

[iualum]

There's a lot of difference between a 2x15 or an 8 x 10.. Or am I wrong? What about a 6 x 10?

There certainly can be. All depends on the drivers. What's their Xmax? What's their sensitivity? What's their frequency response? And then, of course, how well is the box tuned/built that's housing them?

Commercially available 810s almost always have pretty generic speakers. They have to. There are 8 of them. If they were quality drivers, almost no one could afford the 810 cab. And those that could would find much better value elsewhere, like in a 115, 2x15, 115/6, or 2x15/2x6.5.

IMHO, bang-for-the-buck, nothing, as in nothing beats a 115 (or 2 of them) or a 215 with top notch full-range speakers (like 3015s or 15PR400s). Add a quality high frequency driver (tweeter) if you want (a Selenium D220Ti, for example). Or a 115/6 (or 2 of them) or a 2x15/2x6.5 with a top notch low frequency 15 (like the 3015LF) & one of maybe a half dozen top notch midrange drivers (such as the 6ND410).

To me, 810s, 610s, & 410s (unless its two quality 210s in a vert 410) belong on the dust heap.

 

[ddhm]

Personally, I don't care for anything that big or heavy. I'm a little guy and have lugged gear professionally for 20+ years.

I feel like 2 4x10s is just as good an idea as an 8x10 but easier to deal with and get into your vehicle or up some stairs (because we all know that the singer isn't gonna help lol).

One could argue that a modern 8x10 isn't as heavy and I'm sure that they would be correct. However, it's still a monster to lug around.

 

[AngelCrusher]

To me, 810s, 610s, & 410s (unless its two quality 210s in a vert 410) belong on the dust heap.

10s give you the best tonal definition. They are the choice of most touring pros for a reason. But I see your point. You are saying for the best QUALITY speaker, a 1x15 is the best bet.

It is a shame because the 10s sound so much tighter.

8x10 for me is overkill. I usually use a 4x10. I toured with the Mesa 6x10 and it was killer, since it was pretty compact.

But I got to run through an 8x10 last year for a show with backline, and it sounded awesome. Of course I didnt have to load it in or out.

 

[iualum]

10s give you the best tonal definition. They are the choice of most touring pros for a reason. But I see your point. You are saying for the best QUALITY speaker, a 1x15 is the best bet.

It is a shame because the 10s sound so much tighter.

8x10 for me is overkill. I usually use a 4x10. I toured with the Mesa 6x10 and it was killer, since it was pretty compact.

But I got to run through an 8x10 last year for a show with backline, and it sounded awesome. Of course I didnt have to load it in or out.

There are 10s with super "tonal definition," whatever that really means. Each guy hears tone differently. And there are 10s that are as lousy as lousy gets. If there is a 10 (are some 10s) that do it for you, terrific. Truly.

But saying all 10s sound "tighter" than all 15s is just incorrect. There are 15s that are every bit as "tight" as "tight" 10s, or "tighter."

It's all about the specific driver & its specs/characteristics.

 

[Baird6869]

I used to gig an Ampeg 810 but now use 2 Berg 210 cabs stacked vertically. Very few gigs most of us do require an 810.

They look cool and allow you to hear yourself better due to the height of the top speakers.

 

[Sid Fang]

1x10 sounds the same as an 8x10 except quieter...

You didn't put a smiley there. Are you serious? A 1x10 doesn't even sound the same as a 1x10 if the cabinet designs are different.

 

[Sid Fang]

I've A/Bed my old Ampeg 810 fridge and my EBS Neo 212s, and the EBS goes higher, lower, and louder with the same amp, be it SVT or HD350. And that's with just one one of the 212s, each of which is a one-handed carry (though given their bulk, I rarely choose to carry them by only one handle). Still, the SVT+810 does that SVT thing that I grew up with, and love, so, even though it hasn't left the garage in years, I hang onto the thing, hoping to have an excuse to take it out for a gig. I should probably sell it, quick, before all the other unconditional 810 lovers die off...